East Austin Voter Mobilization Initiative Profiled On KUT

As part of Austin public radio station KUT’s voter participation series “Why Bother,” KUT’s Joy Diaz interviewed Daniel Llanes, community organizer for the East Austin Voter Mobilization Initiative also known as VOTA. The story discusses how East Austin, a predominantly, low-income, minority neighborhood, has a historically low voter turnout. In some neighborhoods as low as 2% of registered voters.

“Not to pick on Dove Springs, “says city demographer Ryan Robinson, “but Dove Springs has a notoriously low turnout.” Dove Springs, Montopolis and the areas along East Riverside are among the worst, adds Diaz.

Enter the EAVMI and Llanes who says that registering voters isn’t the challenge. It’s getting registered voters to the polls. This is why the EAVMI is focused on helping people in ways that are practical like providing a ride or a babysitter. A tactic Daniel says made a difference during May’s elections.